146 5.35 The Construction Commences! (2/2)
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”That's right, kid. I'm going to shower then head straight to sleep. How about you? Are you going to shower?”
”Right after you then. The bathroom is too small for both of us and since we have soap, we can scrub ourselves and shower alone. Maybe we should go to a public bath and promote the soap to those rich and famous as well.”
”Swell idea, kid. I'm off to shower first. I will keep the water running for your bath later.”
I nodded as I went to clear the rubbish in the kitchenette. There was no need to drop psi energy spheres in the bath anymore since we have the energised Karada Soap instead.
The rubbish I placed in the furnace in the living room and burnt it, at the same time heating the water for the bath. Since it was natural compost, there weren't any unpleasant smells from the fire and smoke.
”Sensei, I just wash up here in the sink and not going to shower. It's the same effect.” I said aloud since Hiko-sama was again singing in the shower. ”OK!” came the reply and I just went ahead to wash my face in the sink and used the face towel to wipe it off.
I then headed to my bedroom and lay down. Soon the singing by Hiko-sama made my eyelids droop and I fell asleep soon after.
The morning rooster crowed and I woke up. I checked the box where I had placed the pocket watch and saw it was just slightly after 5 am in the morning. I would it up and placed the pocket watch on my Odachi stand. I checked my balance gold coins and found that I had still slightly over 250 gold coins with a bountiful of silver and a handful of coppers.
I stood up and performed my poring stance and let the natural movements take over my body. After I felt they all my joints and muscles had been loosened, I went straight into the Realm of Mind to fetch two [Refined Iron] back to the real world.
I ran my fingers over the stamp mark and was satisfied at the work of Hiko-sama as even though the work was fairly simple, he was a perfectionist as well. I made green tea as there was nothing else to be prepared for breakfast. A short while later I heard someone was greeting us from outside.
It was the apprentice from the fruit shops and he brought with him a hand cart filled with 3 sacks and a whole bunch of bananas with St least 7 combs in it.
I told him to place it over the corner of the house and I placed another sack over it to prevent snow from falling into it. I took the receipt and paid-up using the coins from the coin pouch.
I took 2 medium-sized yams and decided to steam it for breakfast and went to the kitchen to set the steamer. I looked at the water in the tub and found that it was half full and Hiko-sama had let the tap to trickle down. I went outside and cranked underneath the water tower to fill it up. It had been several days since I had done so.
Soon after, Hiko-sama stirred from his sleep and stood at the main doorway and asked me how long I had woken up and wondered what time it would be right now. I laughed at him and reminded about the pocket watch which he immediately retrieved it.
”Sensei, don't forget to wind it 8 times every morning. It's only 535 am. By the way, if our hakama and gin or kimono do not have a pocket, then how would it be called them?”
”I don't know, kid. You tell me then.” Hiko-sama answered as I took the pocket watch and wrap the chain part around his neck and then used the blunt hook to hang at the chain link.
”It becomes a necklace, cute right? People won't know you are carrying one and no one would be able to take it from you. Also, the ticking of the pocket watch is close to the heart and it beats rhythmically.”
”Hahahha...im going to wear like this every day, kid and only to remove it when I shower or even change my clothes.”
We both had a laugh and pored ourselves green tea and drank right there in the kitchen.
A little while later we heard some commotion of men gathering at our front yard and we guessed it must come from the construction team.
”Ohaiyo Gozaimasu Senior and Young Master! I am Kayu-San and all the 10 people and materials are here to begin construction!”
We both went outside and saw a few horses drawn carts with a lot of timber and other fittings. I checked the time on Hiko-sama pocket watch and it was just slightly before 6 am.
Hiko-sama fetched the blueprint for the plot and land and we both bowed to the men and handed the blueprint to the head of building and construction that we now refer to him as the foreman.
He explained to the 10 men and they first proved the land to locate the sewer line and at the same time began marking the land for the basic layout of the elevated floor which they will drive a 4 foot 4x4 timber into the ground to mark out the hardpoints for the pillars.
They had located the sewer line and it was customary for the owner of the land to perform a small groundbreaking ceremony. So Hiko-sama picked up a shovel and dug into the ground to commence the construction of the new house.
And so the commencement for the building of the new house has started by 615 am. ”So, kid...what are your plans for the day? Do you have any tasks for me today?
”Just one, you need to bring these 2 plates of [Refined Iron] to the patents and trademarks department to be endorsed and be placed under the sole manufacturing, production, marketing and distributorship of these plates. Remember these 4 terms, Sensei. This would secure us to perform the whole process from start to beginning of this such plates in the future.”
”I understand, kid. We take things slow and easy right now since we have a basic foundation. Furthermore, do you need me to market these products to the Blacksmith again and maybe tell him that we would be out of town for some time and would not be able to produce the plates on time but we have 120 plates on hand if he wanted to purchase.”
”Sure, Director of the company, whatever you see fit for the company, you may do so. Just drop him a hint that the Forge Master would be making the [Purified Iron] next at 99% purity at a price of 15 gold pieces each. Let's say in 3 months time?”
”OK, Vice-Director. Considered the task is done. Today, I'm going to change the soap to other scent and drop by the cosmetics shop and see what I can find out.”
”As you see fitting for the growth of this company, Director.”
With that, we set about our own tasks since we had not much activity to be done later in the day. As one saying goes, an early bird catches the worm and as for us, never out off anything that we can do now for later.
After Hiko-sama had left the house after having showered and taken steamed yam for breakfast and the workers were doing up their work, I took a large steamer basket from underneath the sink storage and placed it in the furnace. Morning tea break would be between 930 to 945 am so it's better to prepare early.
I placed 12 pieces of yam in the steamer basket and set it to boil and steam the contents. I also placed 12 cups in a tray and set it on the garden table. I set a kettle over the furnace fire to do two tasks at the moment.
When the yam had been properly steamed I placed them on the table including the kettle that been prepared with green tea leaves. I motioned them to take their break whenever they liked and soon one pair of workers went to take their break followed by another pair. In this manner, their jobs would not be disrupted in any way.
I fetched all the dirty laundry which had been collected for almost 5 days and performed my obligations. An hour passed and I had completed it and had hung the laundry to dry using a hanger.
The workers looked at the little contraption and asked me where I bought them and told them once the house is ready, it would be available for sale. They asked me how much it costs and I told them, 1 copper, each and said it was dirt cheap for something useful for it. They all made a mental note to buy for their wives.
Another innovation, another income and growth for the corporation. At least one household would need 10 pieces per head and if they have 4 in a household, it would cost 4 silvers.
If based on a median population of adults and children, it would be about 8, 000 residents. Which means 80,000 hangers to be made. The cost of making it is 0 and its a 100% profit of 80,000 coppers equivalent to 8000 silvers or 800 gold coins.
Bless the Mayor for making such a simple trade conversion for the exchange rates!
A short while later, a smiling Hiko-sama came back with great news. The Patents and Trademark Department was satisfied with the [Refined Iron] plates and had put it up for a proposal for the local business district to make into finished products for local and export use AND for the export of the plates as well. A representative would be visiting them within a week to strike a business deal.
This product alone kills many birds with a throw of this plate like a deadly shuriken.
Hiko-sama also informed me that the Blacksmith was ready to absorb all the 120 [Refined Iron] plates at a rate of 4 gold and 5 silvers which totalled to 540 gold coins instead of 600 gold coins. ”Its a done deal!” I remarked and when a messenger came by, we stopped him and asked to deliver a message to the Blacksmith stating simply, ”540 gold for 120 plates is good. Please reply when you want it all.” and paid 1 copper for the delivery of the message.
Food delivery service came on time before midday based on the time on Hiko-sama's chest. The pocket watch that hung on his chest really looked like a medallion and he looked fitting like a noble. I said that the watch worn like that is giving us luck!
We had lunch on the terrace and the same procedures took place where a pair of workers would take turns to eat and then replaced by another pair. The work was considered as undisrupted and ongoing like a well-oiled machine.
I told Hiko-sama about the hangers that the workers were asking earlier and I told them it costs 1 copper each. To supply this town with hangers would bring in a profit of 80 gold pieces. He widened his eyes in disbelief that this simple metal that he had bent and twisted to make a hanger costs 1 copper and in the end would earn us 800 gold coins!
Hiko-sama also reported to me that he had gone to the cosmetics shop and they agree to buy at a non discounted price of 1 gold coin per soap at 100 bars of each scent. Which means its another 500 gold coins coming in from the cosmetic shop. I told him its truly the charm of the pocket watch. He smiled and nodded and stroked the shiny pocket watch on his chest just above his heart.
Hiko-sama looked at me that within a week, I could earn 320 gold coins and finish it up immediately but ended with a new house and complete furnishings in it. He thought of the following week earning of 540 from the Blacksmith and 500 from the cosmetics shop. He shook his head in amazement that I could be earning so much and in the end giving it away too.
”Haahaa... I know what you're thinking, Sensei. It's about the gold coins, right? Well, easy come easy goes. As long as we don't forget who we are and be humble and not use the money for any ill intent, it will keep on rolling.”
”I have a proposition for your 4 Comrades. Could you ask them if they are interested to join our corporation as branch managers for the East, West, North and South Region? You decide on their salary as long as they would be able to expand our business over there and set up their own branch office for distribution to at least a town of this size.”
”Hmm, great idea, kid. Let me discuss with them when they come back from the expedition. They won't want to be samurai shogunate all their lives, right? Full of risk and have to face many enemies.”
”I would forge for them the finest katana that could cut through demon's swords and sabres for sure.”
”I want one too... Hehehe.” Hiko-sama said in a sheepish manner thinking his friends can get a weapon forged by me and why can't he.
”Sure, Sensei. But I need 5 pieces of coal ore and limestone to make strong steel. Its much stronger than my Odachi and would require a few hits to actually break it.”
”OK, kid... I will ask around for the ore and limestone materials.”
With that, we sat at the terrace and watched the workers mounted the framework of a low roof. By the looks of it, the sewer pipes had been installed, the hardpoint pillars had been erected and the job for the main structure was almost complete by mid-afternoon. I went inside and prepare the 50 gold coins as promised and set it aside for the foreman.